4:37 PM
Service Club
…
"Yuigahama-san, please stop trying to talk with your mouth full", the president of the Service Club said. While she calmly wiped the table in front of her, she added: "You are making a mess of the whole table…"
Yuigahama startled, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Ah! I'm sorry, Yukinon", the girl said, using her hands to brush away a few crumbs from her rosy cheeks. "I just can't stop eating. They are delicious."
Yukinoshita gave a small smile at the way Yuigahama was cleaning herself. It reminded her of a little preschool girl at lunch. So, Yukinoshita took one of her handkerchiefs and offered it to Yuigahama to clean her cheeks.
"Dōzo… (Here you go)", Yukinoshita said as she took a handkerchief out of her bag and offered it to her companion.
"Thank you, Yukinon", Yuigahama said, taking the small cloth, yet she still didn't stop eating the cookies.
Yukinoshita couldn't deny it. Yesterday, Matsuba's cooking had impressed her. The gingerbread cookies he made for them were delicious.
"I thought they were all gone", Yukinoshita mentioned while sipping her tea.
Yuigahama immediately nodded with her cheerful attitude.
"Yes, but Matsu-kun made more for me."
Yukinoshita looked up, nodding in response.
"Matsu-kun…" Yukinoshita repeated to herself.
This shouldn't surprise her, but it did. The ease with which Yuigahama becomes familiar with others surprised her. But Matsuba wasn't innocent either. He had gotten under Yuigahama's skin far too quickly.
"Seriously, they're incredible", Yuigahama spoke again, bringing her hands to her cheeks. "Did you like them, Yukinon?"
Yukinoshita, without listening to her, out of sheer habit, directed her gaze toward Hikigaya's seat.
"He hasn't arrived yet", the words escaped her.
However, Yuigahama noticed her friend's distant look.
"What's wrong, Yukinon?", Yuigahama asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. Meanwhile, some crumbs fell from her cheeks.
Yukinoshita looked slightly at Yuigahama. She hadn't realized she was being spoken to. Oh, she hadn't even realized she had been staring at Hikigaya's seat for quite some time.
"Yes, I did, Yuigahama-san, I liked them", Yukinoshita composed herself, nodding. Then she took another brief look at the empty seat. "He's late…" Yukinoshita thought. So she asked her companion: "Yuigahama-san, why didn't Hikigaya-kun accompany you this time? Is he okay?"
Yuigahama, swaying happily from side to side, nodded.
"Yes, he said he was going to see Hiratsuka-sensei first."
Yukinoshita nodded. She thought to herself that he was surely going to ask Hiratsuka-sensei about the new additions to the Service Club. It was obvious he would be annoyed or irritated. Although he hadn't minded taking the cookies Matsuba made. Free food had won over his pride.
Remembering it caused Yukinoshita to give a slight smile at Hikigaya's petty attitude.
She found it somewhat cute.
There was a light knock at the door.
"Douzo… (Come in)", Yukinoshita spoke, turning her eyes toward the door.
Reddish hair peeked through the doorway.
"Hello, hello", Aisaka greeted both girls as she walked quickly to her seat.
"Aisaka-san", Yukinoshita greeted her. "Good afternoon."
"Sumimasen, Yukino-san (Sorry, I'm late)", Aisaka replied while hanging her backpack on the chair.
Yuigahama immediately greeted her with her characteristic salutation.
"Yahallo! Aiko-chan", Yuigahama's animosity caused more crumbs to fall from her cheeks.
Aisaka turned her head. She wasn't confused by the greeting; she understood it. But what she didn't understand was why the only ones who used it were the first-years and some of the second-year classes. She found it a bit silly.
"Hello, Yui-san", she greeted, finally sitting in her chair. Seeing her, Aisaka noticed she was still eating the cookies Matsuba had made for them. "You really liked them, Yui-san", Aisaka smiled, pointing out the obvious.
"Hum?", Yuigahama looked at Aisaka in confusion. When she saw the mess she had made, her cheeks quickly turned red. "Ha, ha. Gomen, gomen (I'm sorry, I'm sorry)", she said, wiping the corners of her mouth. "It's just that they are delicious."
Aisaka smiled; it energized her that they appreciated her friend's cooking.
"I know", she paused and continued. "Haru-kun is very good at baking."
Yuigahama nodded quickly, moving her head up and down. But instantly her eyes widened, remembering something.
"Oh!", Yuigahama startled. "Aiko-chan, before we left, I saw you and Matsu-kun leaving together."
Aisaka nodded at her statement.
"Yes, Haru—"
But she was interrupted by Yukinoshita.
"Yuigahama-san, don't be so nosy about Aisaka-san's life", Yukinoshita intervened.
Yuigahama realized, without having intended it, that she might have been making Aisaka uncomfortable.
"A-Ah, I'm sorry Aiko-chan, I didn't mean to", Yuigahama's dejected tone was evident.
"No, no, it's okay. It doesn't bother me", Aisaka clarified. "And yes, Yui-san, Haru-kun always walks me home."
Yukinoshita listened intently. It seemed that Matsuba and Aisaka were good friends.
But Yuigahama understood it in a different way.
"A-Ah, you two…", Yuigahama couldn't find her words. "Are you…?"
Immediately, Aisaka answered what she was implying.
"Ah, no. Yui-san. We are nothing like that", she clarified to Yuigahama. "He is like an older brother to me."
Yuigahama nodded, understanding.
"Mmmh", Yuigahama took another cookie. "I would have liked to have an older brother. I think it would be fun."
Without opening her eyes, Yukinoshita responded.
"Don't be so sure", Yukinoshita spoke, bringing her cup to her lips and sipping tea.
Yuigahama looked at Yukinoshita, confused by her words.
"What do you mean, Yukinon?"
Yukinoshita lowered her teacup to explain.
"Having older siblings isn't as great as people think."
Yuigahama's eyes widened in surprise.
"Hontou? (Really?)"
Yukinoshita nodded calmly.
"That's right", she replied as she lowered her cup to continue. "It can vary between families. But most commonly, some try to annoy or harass their younger siblings. They take advantage of them."
Yukinoshita's gaze lowered as she spoke the words.
Yuigahama had never thought there could be such implications in sibling relationships.
"That's terrible!", Yuigahama shouted, startled.
The sound of the door filled the room.
Black hair and an intimidating gaze. Hasegawa entered the room.
"Hajime-kun!", Aisaka greeted animatedly.
Yukinoshita turned her eyes to one of the new members of the club.
"Hasegawa-kun, good afternoon", Yukinoshita greeted.
The boy gave a sigh and greeted back.
"Mmmh, hello."
When Hasegawa sat in his seat next to Aisaka, Yuigahama's voice rang out.
"Yahallo! Hasegawa-kun", Yuigahama greeted.
Hasegawa, bewildered, looked at Yuigahama before taking his seat.
"What did you call me?", his tone wasn't annoyed or angry, but his face didn't help.
"A-Ah! I'm sorry. Did I mispronounce it?", Yuigahama replied, a bit frightened.
Hasegawa's eyes would have scared her more, but she was used to always seeing Hikigaya's dead-fish eyes. Even so, Yuigahama's voice wavered.
"What? No. The other thing", Hasegawa spoke with a slight frown.
"Yahallo…?", Yuigahama leaned in. "It's a greeting…", she mentioned, somewhat dejected. "It's very popular among the classes."
"Ah…", Hasegawa saw Yuigahama's slight anxiety. "I didn't know." It was true; he was very out of date with the new trends at school. "I'm sorry for scaring you, Yuigahama-san."
Hasegawa looked at Yuigahama and began to bow.
"A-Ah, you don't have to apologize, Hasegawa-kun", Yuigahama spoke quickly to stop him from bowing. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have—"
"No", Hasegawa stopped her. "It was mine. Accept my apology." He lowered his head completely, then raised it again.
Yuigahama tensed. Her hands went to her legs. Her cheeks turned red. Hasegawa's penetrating eyes wouldn't stop looking at her.
"What is happening to me? I'm blushing way too much", Yuigahama thought to herself. "Sure…", she barely whispered.
Yukinoshita, who had been keeping silent, then took the floor.
"Hasegawa-kun", the boy stopped looking at Yuigahama upon being called.
"Yes…?", he turned to Yukinoshita.
"Do you know when Matsuba-kun will be coming?", Yukinoshita paused. "Or even where he is?"
Hasegawa let out a small chuckle.
"Matsuba Haruto is the only one who knows where Matsuba Haruto is", Hasegawa took a moment. "You'll get used to it, beautiful", he finished speaking as he took his seat next to Aisaka.
Beautiful…
Being called that way again didn't make Yukinoshita blush. What it did do was irritate her.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to", Yukinoshita raised her teacup, sipped, and lowered it again. "And refrain from calling me that way, Hasegawa-kun", Yukinoshita's icy voice emerged.
Hasegawa, who wasn't really affected by her tone of voice, simply replied:
"Sure, sure", he answered with simple murmurs.
Yuigahama smiled awkwardly, while Aisaka took notes, paying no mind to the situation.
The door slid open again.
Hikigaya entered the room with a slight frown.
"Hikigaya-kun", Yukinoshita spoke. "You're late."
"Mmmh", the loner murmured.
"My, you can't even formulate words anymore."
Yukinoshita didn't want to lose that tradition. That exchange of words between them.
She didn't want to lose anything anymore.
He continuado con la traducción de tu texto, manteniendo la precisión técnica de la puntuación externa y el uso de comillas inglesas que solicitaste para los diálogos.
Aquí tienes la siguiente parte:
Yuigahama turned to her friend in a pleading manner.
"Yukinon", she said, wanting to intervene.
Hasegawa and Aisaka couldn't have cared less. Aisaka continued with her notes, and Hasegawa moved his neck in a circular motion, faint cracks could be heard.
Upon sitting down, Hikigaya spoke.
"I was looking for Hiratsuka-sensei."
Yukinoshita reflected on this.
"Looking for...", she took a moment and continued. "That means you didn't find her."
"No."
Yuigahama noticed Hikigaya's annoyance and Yukinoshita's constant way of bothering him. So, before it could escalate, she started to speak.
"Etto (Well), maybe she went home early. Perhaps that's why she didn't give us classes."
"Mmmh", Hikigaya murmured.
"Hiratsuka?", Hasegawa spoke. "Is she the woman with the Mercedes?"
Both Yukinoshita and Yuigahama turned to look at Hasegawa. But Hikigaya was the one who spoke first.
"Yes…", he said, looking at Hasegawa with a frown.
"Mercedes?", Yuigahama looked at Yukinoshita, confused.
"It is the automotive brand of the car, Yuigahama-san."
"Ah…", Yuigahama nodded, but there was still a slight confusion. So, Yukinoshita lowered her teacup to respond.
"A car is—"
"I know what a car is, Yukinon!"
Hikigaya waited for the exchange of words between the two to end and spoke in a moody tone.
"Why do you ask, Hasegawa?", Hikigaya straightened up to look him directly in the eyes.
Hasegawa noticed the anger. It was so evident. So, he decided it was better to keep it to himself.
It didn't matter.
What good would it do to tell him he had seen Matsuba with her?
"For no reason. I like her car", Hasegawa replied, trying to maintain Hikigaya's composure.
Hikigaya analyzed him; he could read him. However, it would be useless to ask or confront him here. So, Hikigaya dropped the subject.
"Mmmh", he took a deep breath. "Yes, it is a good car."
Time passed with relative normality. There were no requests, and the vice president of the club had not yet arrived.
…
4:51 PM
…
Once again, the sound of the door made itself present in the club. Yukinoshita was prepared to give Matsuba a long lecture. So, she spoke before anyone else.
"Douzo (Come in)", a icy tone began to slip from Yukinoshita.
Both Yuigahama and Hikigaya looked toward the door. However, Aisaka and Hasegawa did not. The boy was looking at his cell phone, and the girl was still taking notes.
Hasegawa smiled, giving Yukinoshita a quick glance. He knew it couldn't be Matsuba. He knew the Dark Prince's footsteps, and besides not being them, those were four consecutive footsteps. Not two. It was two people.
When they entered, blonde locks of hair could be seen.
Yukinoshita massaged her temple. She had worked herself up too much. She really expected it to be Matsuba. But the person actually at the door was none other than Hayama Hayato himself, accompanied by one of his clique. Tobe Kakeru entered the room.
Yukinoshita took the floor as usual.
"Can we help you with something?", she asked with a certain hint of annoyance.
When Hayama heard Yukinoshita's words, it was obvious to him that she was moderately upset about something. However, when he saw two students he had never seen before, he was startled, though he was so good at hiding it that no one noticed.
"A-Ah, if you are busy with another request, we can wait. We'll come back another time."
Yukinoshita turned to the two new members without responding. So, Yuigahama took the floor.
"Ah, Hayato-kun, they are members of the club."
"Members…?", Hayama spoke, his confusion evident. "Since when?"
Yukinoshita responded immediately.
"Since yesterday."
Hayama turned to Hikigaya, who gave him a frown. To which Hayama responded with an awkward smile. This complicated things. He would have to chat with Hikigaya later.
"Ah, of course", Hayama looked at the new members. "I'm Hayama Hayato. A pleasure."
Hasegawa's eyes looked at him. He seemed familiar.
"Hasegawa", he responded, quick and blunt. It was as if he were being forced to speak.
"I am Tobe Kakeru, don't hesitate to use my name, Hasewaga-kun."
Hasegawa clenched his jaw. He didn't remember the last time someone had said his name incorrectly.
"Repeat it, pretty boy. Do it. Please", Hasegawa moved along with his chair.
"Eh? I'm sorry?", Tobe asked uncomfortably, sweating. He hadn't expected that response.
But the girl taking notes in her notebook saved Tobe.
"Calm down, Hajime-kun, he didn't say it on purpose", Aisaka turned to the guests. "I'm Aisaka Aiko. A pleasure, Hayama-kun, Tobe-kun", Aisaka looked at Tobe, giving a small smile of understanding. "Chotto ne (By the way), Tobe-kun, it's pronounced Ha-se-ga-wa. It's usually written with the kanji 'Ha' (length), 'se' (rapids or current), and 'kawa/gawa' (river)."
Hayama responded awkwardly.
"We're sorry, it's just that it's strange that there are new members", Hayama nodded, looking at the situation. "Tobe didn't do it on purpose, Hasegawa-kun."
Hayama tried to save the atmosphere, but his words were in vain.
"You think I care, Blondie?", Hasegawa was already seconds away from breaking something on the chatterbox. Or perhaps both of them. "Do yourselves a favor and—"
"Hasegawa-kun", Yukinoshita's icy voice didn't scare Hasegawa, but it stopped him. "If you continue with that attitude, I will have to ask you to leave the club room. We do not tolerate violence here."
Hasegawa sighed in annoyance. His hands were clenched; his nails dug in, hurting him.
Aisaka touched Hasegawa's hand under the table.
"Calm down, Hajime-kun, Nee? (Right?)", she said, hoping it would work.
So, Hasegawa responded with a murmur closer to a growl.
"Mmmh."
But his eyes wouldn't stop staring at Tobe. To which Tobe, out of sheer instinct, went to take refuge behind Hayama.
This wasn't over.
So, Yukinoshita took the floor again.
"Well then, why are you here?"
Hayama smiled awkwardly. He knew that annoying way Yukinoshita spoke.
"Tobe needs some advice. So I brought him here… but…"
"No, no. I don't think so, Hayato-kun", Tobe finally spoke, still standing behind Hayama. "There's no way I can ask for advice. Especially not from Hikitani-kun."
Hikigaya, used to being called that, showed no anger. Only his slight frown. He had another problem now.
"Ha… I should be annoyed, but I guess it doesn't bother me anymore…", the loner spoke to himself.
Hayama looked at his companion.
"We came for help, didn't we?"
"But still. You know…", Tobe continued complaining like a child not allowed to play. "There's no way I can tell things like that to Hikitani-kun. His help would be zero."
Rather than being angry or disgusted, this favored Hikigaya. If he wasn't wanted in this request, he could very well leave and visit Hiratsuka-sensei at her apartment.
Yuigahama murmured irritably.
"How… annoying", she said. Hikigaya turned and looked at Yuigahama; she was the one who had whispered. It made the loner open his eyes a little. "Tobecchi, that's very rude."
Yukinoshita nodded, bringing her teacup to her lips.
"Well, Hikigaya-kun is in the wrong place, so it's inevitable."
Hikigaya turned to his club mates. He didn't know how to feel about it. He had recently earned his role as a villain with the cultural festival. Hasegawa observed the situation. Although he was never good at deducing things, it was obvious that these girls felt something for the boy. At least some appreciation. But something at last.
Hasegawa was still trying to understand why Matsuba wanted to be here.
However, Yukinoshita wasn't finished.
"That's right. We can't blame them. So I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave the club."
Hikigaya grabbed the top of his backpack, feeling grateful.
"Fine, call me when it's over."
Hikigaya stood up and when…
"Wait, where are you going?", he was stopped by Yukinoshita's voice.
"Eh…?", Hikigaya responded.
Yukinoshita turned to Hayama and Tobe.
"The ones who will be leaving are them."
Incredibly, both boys were taken aback. Hayama and Tobe widened their eyes in surprise. They didn't expect those words to be directed at them. Both boys, waiting at the door, startled, looking confused.
"Lacking in empathy", Yukinoshita began, "I cannot understand how you could think we would provide you with help when you come here of your own free will. I believe there are no reasons to listen to people like you", Yukinoshita spoke with total serenity. "I advise you to work more on that attitude."
Tobe shuddered at the words; his hands tingled, and his breathing felt suffocating.
"Tobecchi, you're putting me in a bad mood", Yuigahama drove the final nail in.
Hasegawa and Aisaka, although they understood Yukinoshita's argument, didn't understand what Hayama and Tobe had come for. Hasegawa was surprised that they were surprised. You don't arrive at a hotel just to take over the room. But also…
"Advice? Is this club a counseling office, perhaps? It would be bad if Hikigaya was here for some stupid advice", Hasegawa thought.
Matsuba never told them what they would be doing in the club. Aisaka simply answered a call, and Hasegawa came believing it would be a club for stacking boxes so he could get extra credits.
Hikigaya, still standing, listened carefully to what Yukinoshita was saying.
Hayama understood.
"Well, I suppose we were in the wrong", he said, turning to Tobe. "Let's go back. This is something we must resolve on our own."
Tobe, this time a bit more determined, spoke up.
"No. We're already here. So…", he took a breath. "The truth is that I…"
…
Hasegawa rubbed his temple. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Where the hell did Matsuba get me into?", Hasegawa said to himself, annoyed. "A damn confession. That's what I'm here for…"
"Seriously?", Yuigahama asked enthusiastically.
Aisaka was equally excited.
"How cute."
Hikigaya spoke up.
"So, you just want to go out with Ebina-san."
"Yes, yes, exactly!", Tobe, still excited or perhaps even more so, answered Hikigaya. "And I don't want her to reject me and hate me."
Aisaka made a gesture of being moved. Hasegawa was still staring at the table, reflecting on his life up to this point.
"I've done bad things, but do I deserve to listen to this...?"
"I love this kind of stuff!", Yuigahama pointed out euphorically. "I support you."
Hayama, still with his awkward smile, asked:
"It's not going to be that simple, is it?", he asked Hikigaya.
"Well, it won't be…", Hikigaya responded.
Then, Yukinoshita spoke with her finger on her chin.
"I'm afraid we can't help you."
Upon hearing her friend's declaration, Yuigahama turned to her and, like a child who wants to go out and play, took her arm and pleaded.
"Eh? What's wrong with it, Yukinon? We have to help them, okay?"
Yukinoshita looked at her companion and leaned slightly to look at Hikigaya. Hikigaya drew back.
"Hey, wait. Don't make me decide", Hikigaya thought.
Hikigaya turned to Hasegawa, but he was lost in his thoughts, while Aisaka was in the clouds with shining eyes.
"Hikitani-kun", Tobe spoke this time, but he corrected himself. "No, Hikitani-san."
"No, no, no", Hikigaya spoke to himself.
"Please", Tobe said as he bowed slightly to Hikigaya.
As he listened to Tobe's foolish pleas, he continued with his internal monologue.
"What is wrong with you? Are you stupid? You didn't learn anything from a few minutes ago. Hasegawa was going to kill you just for mispronouncing a word."
Again, he asked for help.
"Please."
"Now you're doing it worse with me, and even more so when you try to be respectful, you ruin it further."
"Please", Tobe repeated.
"Come on! Yukinon", Yuigahama broke Hikigaya's internal monologue. "Tobecchi needs our help."
"I don't know", Yukinoshita began. "Although I would like to, all the members are not here yet, Mats—"
"Oh, that's true!", Yuigahama shouted. "We shouldn't wait for Matsu-kun."
"That guy. Shit, for a second, I had forgotten he existed", Hikigaya thought to himself.
"Matsu-kun?", Hayama asked.
Hikigaya stared into a void.
"Matsu-kun", he repeated to himself.
He felt as if a part of him were churning. He knew Yuigahama was a kind girl.
I hate kind girls
Someone inside him screamed.
Yuigahama took the floor once again.
"Yes. He is also a new member of the club."
Yukinoshita, who was only listening, nodded.
"His name is Matsuba Haruto-kun", she replied, looking at Hayama. "He is the vice president of the Service Club."
Matsuba Haruto… Matsuba… the Dark Prince of Sōbu.
Hayama thought.
Of course he knew who he was…
His second year had started normally. His clique hadn't changed. The atmosphere was the same as always. But there was a new topic of conversation on the first day. "The new Prince of Sōbu from Class C, 2nd Grade." They talked about him as if he were the one who would replace Hayama. That same day, one of his friends, Yamato, wanted to show him who ruled in Sōbu. Yamato didn't return to school for a week. When he did, he never wanted to say what happened. He didn't seem to have a single scratch, nothing. Only absolute fear.
Rumors and more rumors.
They said he controlled Sōbu, Kaihin, and the surrounding areas. They said he was a thug from another school, expelled for beating up countless students from different schools.
However, like all rumors, Hayama never took them seriously. He never believed in them. Besides, those rumors were too exaggerated to be true. So, he didn't give them any importance. A grave mistake. It took Hayama days to see that it was true. Matsuba controlled Sōbu; he could see it. He did it just by observing his class. So, he did everything he could to pull his clique away. And with his usual calm, Hayama told his group that the rumors, like all others, were false—they couldn't be true.
Hayama came back to himself.
"So, it's Matsuba-kun", Hayama responded to Yukinoshita.
But inside him, something different was happening.
Why? Why? Why? Why is that guy here? He'll be close to Yukino... shita... I must...
"Hayato!", Tobe responded restlessly. "Isn't that the name of the guy who messed with Yamato?" Hayama's train of thought was stopped by his friend at his side.
Hikigaya paused to observe Hayama's reaction. It didn't surprise him that Hayama knew who he was. If Yuigahama knew who the Dark Prince was, he should know too.
"Yamato could have been mistaken, Tobe", Hayama replied. "You know how he is, always making things up." Hayama evaded the subject.
He knew Tobe would do it; he knew that Tobe would accept whatever he said. So, Tobe nodded.
"You're right, Hayato. If you say so, it's true."
Hasegawa saw something in the blonde boy and, having recovered somewhat, reclined in his seat with a certain satisfaction.
"So Haruto has already had run-ins with them, huh?"
Aisaka asked innocently:
"Yamato?"
Tobe turned to the red-haired girl.
"Yes!", he answered immediately. "He didn't come to school for a week."
Aisaka tilted her head slightly.
"Mmmh, a week", Aisaka brought her finger to her chin. "It couldn't have been Haru-kun. That's too short a time."
Aisaka's innocent face bewildered everyone except Hasegawa. Hikigaya, even with Aisaka's words, knew they were talking about the same person, but she chose to ignore it. Yukinoshita coughed to clear her throat.
"I'm afraid I need to ask Matsuba-kun."
"Wait", Hikigaya spoke up. "You said he could choose which requests he wanted to participate in. But not decide whether to accept them or not." Yukinoshita listened carefully to Hikigaya. He was right, but for the club president, it wouldn't be appropriate to decide without the vice president. So, Hikigaya continued: "We can accept Tobe's request. And when Matsuba is here, we can ask him if he wants to help us."
Yukinoshita kept in mind the implications under which Matsuba agreed to be a club member, but at the very least, she wanted to know what he thought.
And also lecture him about arriving late to the club.
"Hasegawa-kun, Aisaka-san", Yukinoshita addressed the pair. "By any chance, do you have Matsuba-kun's phone number?"
Aisaka shook her head.
"Haru-kun doesn't have a phone."
Hasegawa, like the girl beside him, answered:
"That guy hates technology."
What is he, a hermit? Hikigaya thought to himself.
"He doesn't use a phone!", Tobe shouted with clear exaggeration. "Wow, what a weird guy, right Hayato-kun?"
Hayama only replied with an awkward laugh.
"Some people decide not to use a phone", Hikigaya backed up what Aisaka said about Matsuba.
"Seriously, Hikki?", Yuigahama asked the boy next to her.
"It might be because of a trauma", Hikigaya answered.
Although Yuigahama understood it differently.
"Well, my grandfather doesn't use a phone."
"I didn't mean it like that", Hikigaya replied instantly, then began: "For example. He could have given his phone number to someone he was interested in, and he thought that already made them friends. So he sends messages, but they never answer."
While Hikigaya spoke about the subject, memories came to his mind.
"They say Hikigaya confessed to Kaori."
"Oh, god. Poor Kaori. It's a good thing I didn't give him my phone number."
Words from his mind reminded Hikigaya of his middle school days. Yuigahama looked at Hikigaya with pity.
"Another of Hikki's sad stories."
Hasegawa finally gave a smile.
"Why do I feel like you're talking about yourself, friend?", he laughed a little at what Hikigaya said.
The loner's eyebrows furrowed upon hearing the small laugh.
"I said it in general. It could happen to anyone who is hopeful. Yes, it happened to me, but that doesn't mean it can't happen to someone else. I was very naive. Besides, don't call me friend". Hikigaya spoke to himself. Then he spoke again: "But there's more. Suppose you want to confess to someone you get along with. You aren't friends or anything", he pointed to Tobe. "Everything is going well between them, and you do it... and then..."
"Hikigaya-kun, I ask you to refrain from recounting your traumas", Yukinoshita interrupted.
Aisaka patted Hikigaya's hand.
"Aisaka-san, I am not a dog".
Hikigaya thought to himself. But it doesn't bother me.
Hikigaya could only give a murmur.
"And what exactly is it that you want us to do?"
Tobe took the floor.
"Well, I want to confess, and I want you to help me or something like that."
"Mmmh, but don't you think it's very risky?", Hikigaya replied.
Tobe leaned in slightly. Yuigahama turned to Yukinoshita, confused.
"Risky?"
Before drinking her tea, Yukinoshita answered:
"Risk: An event with the possibility of danger or damage."
"I know what it means!", Yuigahama raised her voice in reproach. "I asked why it's risky."
"Because of being rejected", Hikigaya answered.
"You're already taking it for granted?!", Yuigahama shouted this time, impressed.
"Yes, it's a matter of statistics. When you confess, the next day the whole class will know", Hikigaya took some time. "This in itself isn't bad, but rumors won't be far behind." When he finished, he let out a slight sigh and returned to his argument: "He may run the risk of being made fun of."
Hasegawa, laughing a little again, spoke up:
"Is it another of your stories, or is it the same one?"
Aisaka stroked Hikigaya's hair.
"Yoshi, yoshi… (There, there)", Aisaka stroked Hikigaya again.
Hikigaya turned and saw the red-haired girl.
"How did she get here so fast? A second ago she was in front of me", Hikigaya wondered in his mind.
"Well, well", Hayama, who had been keeping silent, took the floor. "Well, I have to go to my club."
Hikigaya watched as Hayama turned around.
"Tobe", Hayama spoke again. "Good luck."
The words made Hikigaya notice something.
"He's lying".
…
5:19, PM
…
"Well", Yukinoshita broke the silence. "First, let's look for Tobe-kun's strengths."
Silence reigned in the club. Not even Yuigahama said a word.
"I'm friends with Hayato-kun", Tobe replied.
As if that were worth anything. Hasegawa spoke to himself.
"What an idiot".
"You're relying on someone else!", Yuigahama spoke up this time.
Hikigaya took Tobe's answer as valid. There wasn't much else to look at...
"Is there anything else?", the loner asked Yuigahama.
"Etto... Is he bright?"
Hasegawa settled into his seat.
"Bright? Is that the best you've got?" Considering since the first time he saw Yuigahama, he thought she would be more elaborate with her words. But he saw that wasn't the case.
"If being bright were enough, bald men would be popular", Hikigaya replied.
"Ah, Hasegawa-kun, Hikki!", Yuigahama shouted in desperation. She didn't know what else to say to Tobe as a compliment, and her two companions weren't helping. "I don't know!"
Aisaka raised her hand incredibly fast.
"Go ahead, Aisaka-san", Hikigaya said.
"If I look at him from the side, he can look kind of cute", Aisaka replied cheerfully.
"Okay, no", Hikigaya replied quickly and turned this time to Hasegawa.
Hasegawa frowned.
"You're asking too much of me, friend", he answered.
Hikigaya turned around.
"Yukinoshita…"
"Let's see...", Yukinoshita thought out loud. "Is he noisy...? No, annoying?" Yukinoshita closed her eyes, wanting to formulate a single answer. "Noisy and annoying... Energetic?" Yukinoshita turned to Hikigaya with a smile, hoping she had said the right thing. Thinking she had. "Don't you think?"
Hikigaya understood where this was going.
"Okay. I get it", the loner replied quickly and turned to Yuigahama. "Change of plans."
"So fast?!", Yuigahama shouted.
Hikigaya spoke to the group.
"Fine, instead of looking for Tobe's strengths, let's look for Ebina-san's tastes."
Yuigahama nodded quickly.
"I understand, I understand."
Yukinoshita looked at Hikigaya and responded:
"You mean what Ebina-san feels for Tobe-kun."
"That's right. That way you could formulate a better plan", Hikigaya replied, agreeing with Yukinoshita.
"Mmmh, well Yuigahama-san, could you tell us what Ebina-san feels for Tobe-kun?"
Yuigahama startled; she didn't expect that question, nor did she know how to answer it.
"A-Ah, good question", was the only thing Yuigahama could say.
Hasegawa noticed the girl's discomfort and smiled with understanding.
"Good grief..."
"Well, I think we already have the answer", Hikigaya thought, and glanced at Hasegawa. "And apparently, I'm not the only one".
"Come on, tell me, Yui-san", Tobe spoke expectantly. "The nerves are killing me."
"Are you sure?", Hikigaya tried to preserve Tobe's dignity for a little longer. "Knowing it would be like your final judgment."
"But I have to know to move forward, don't I...?" Tobe replied, still hopeful.
"Yes, but...", Hikigaya tried. "Whatever... Go ahead, Yuigahama-san."
So, Tobe leaned forward in his chair.
"Say it, Yui-san."
Yuigahama avoided Tobe's eyes.
"I think she thinks...", she took a second breath. "She thinks you're a good person."
"Game over! And thanks for playing", Hikigaya thought. "When women say you're a good person, it means they aren't interested in you at all".
Tobe replied excitedly:
"That's positive."
"She practically told you she's not interested, partner", Hasegawa replied with certainty.
"I can't believe he actually said it! He broke the only positive thing here!" Hikigaya screamed to himself.
Tobe tensed up. He hadn't exchanged words with Hasegawa other than the greeting.
"But she said I'm a good person, that's something, right?", he asked the group in general.
Yuigahama smiled awkwardly.
"Yes..."
Even Yuigahama knows it. Yuigahama, Hikigaya thought to himself.
Yuigahama spoke quickly so that everyone's eyes would go elsewhere.
"A-Ah, what do you think, Yukinon?"
Yukinoshita, still thinking of things Ebina might like, returned to the group.
"Mmmh, being a good person", Yukinoshita thought. "The term is quite relative, Yuigahama-san. It can mean several things. Or nothing."
"Yukinon!", Yuigahama cried to her friend, hoping she would save her. I shouldn't have said anything, Yuigahama thought.
Hasegawa, somewhat bored, turned back to Tobe.
"Hey." Tobe turned, somewhat uncomfortable; the sweat gave him away.
"Yes...?" Tobe replied, still with his slight discomfort.
"Have you ever had a girlfriend?", Hasegawa asked while reclining in his seat.
Tobe shook his head.
"No, no. Never."
"Mmmh, that complicates it", Hasegawa replied.
"It does!", Yuigahama shouted.
"Yes...", Hasegawa hesitated to name the boy; he still had his error very much in mind. He turned to Yuigahama and answered: "Yes, Tobe has no experience..." He turned back to Tobe again, interrupting himself. "Have you even once confessed your feelings to someone?"
Tobe shook his head.
"Now this makes it worse."
"More?!", Yuigahama shouted again.
"He has no experience in being rejected", Hasegawa nodded.
Yukinoshita observed with curiosity.
"Hasegawa is right", Hikigaya declared.
"Is that so?", Yukinoshita asked. "In what way, Hikigaya-kun?"
"When someone—"
"Aren't you afraid of being rejected?", Hasegawa interrupted, looking at Tobe.
Tobe shook his head even faster.
"No, not a bit."
Hikigaya felt how the atmosphere changed after that question.
"Only someone who hasn't been rejected would say that, partner", Hasegawa replied.
Hikigaya observed Hasegawa, thinking. He tried to understand what his club mate was thinking now. Yuigahama noticed how the atmosphere changed, becoming heavier, and quickly addressed Hasegawa.
"Hasegawa-kun, have you had a girlfriend?"
"Of course", Hasegawa answered with his usual calm.
But Aisaka spoke quickly.
"He has! Hajime-kun has gone out with many girls."
Hasegawa faltered.
"Ai-chan…"
"Yes, there's Sae-san from Class F, Minami-san from Class G, Aname-san from Class C", Aisaka continued counting on her fingers. "Oh! And also, the lady from the café, Kaede-san, and—"
Hasegawa covered Aisaka's mouth.
"I think that's enough, Ai-chan."
Hikigaya wasn't surprised. It was obvious he was more experienced in that subject than they were. And not just because of the first day he met him. When Matsuba asked him to stay in the club, he heard "He was with that girl...", but he stopped when he saw Yukinoshita and Yuigahama.
Yuigahama blushed slightly at the quick and confident declaration.
Yukinoshita was quite the opposite. In fact, relieved; Hasegawa could help with this request in a good way, advising and giving feedback to Tobe.
Yukinoshita took the floor.
"Then…"
The door slid open.
The sound made everyone turn around.
Knowing who it was, Hikigaya clicked his tongue.
"Tsk…", almost inaudible.
The brown hair shimmered as he entered, and the setting sun made the golden eyes of the newcomer shine even brighter. His smile filled the room with presumption. His uniform was impeccable, wearing the vest with his red tie with golden stripes.
The King of Rome has arrived, Hasegawa thought. He certainly made us wait.
With slow, calm steps and supreme elegance.
"He—"
"Matsuba-kun", Yukinoshita cut off his greeting.
It was becoming a tradition. Matsuba simply kept smiling at Yukinoshita's icy voice.
"Yes…", he answered with a slight twitch in his perfect smile.
Tobe tensed up upon hearing Yukinoshita's voice. At least it worked on someone.
"You're late, Matsuba-kun", Yukinoshita pointed out. "You were asking me what time you had to arrive. So I expect you to give me a good excuse for being late."
Matsuba smiled, moving through the room until he reached Yukinoshita.
"There is no excuse, Yukinoshita-san", Matsuba moved his hand to his chest with theatricality, as if it hurt.
"Does he think this is a drama club?", Why the hell does he move like that? Hikigaya thought.
Matsuba leaned toward Yukinoshita and took her hand with such delicacy.
"Tell me what you want me to do", as he spoke, his smile became charming and less malevolent. "I will do whatever it takes to make it up to you."
Matsuba leaned dangerously close to the back of Yukinoshita's hand, bringing his lips very nearby. Yukinoshita's cheeks flushed red.
"Whatever it takes…" Yukinoshita didn't know why, but she thought about those words more than she should have.
She wanted to respond, but she couldn't. She couldn't formulate a single word. Everything happened too fast.
Yuigahama startled at Matsuba's attitude and blushed slightly.
Hikigaya was the one having the worst time. If his eyes truly killed, as the rumors said, Matsuba would already be dead.
Matsuba, who had his lips just centimeters from the back of Yukinoshita's hand, saw the reaction he wanted from Hikigaya out of the corner of his left eye. He loved Hikigaya's reactions. They were so fun. It was so entertaining to make him angry.
The smile on Matsuba's face grew even wider.
At a speed so fast, it created a slight breeze, he stood up straight, letting go of Yukinoshita's hand. Matsuba, as if nothing had happened, turned around and walked to a table with some stacked chairs to leave his backpack.
Aisaka reached into her backpack and took out a golden cup. She walked to Yukinoshita's teapot to pour some tea. When Matsuba returned, he was greeted by Aisaka giving him his tea.
"Thank you, darling", Matsuba said.
Aisaka returned to her seat. Without any reaction, she was already used to Matsuba calling her that and a thousand other things.
Hikigaya had his mouth slightly open.
"Is she his servant?" Hikigaya thought. "This damn guy has his own maid".
Matsuba turned to the group and leaned against the broken window, which had a large white sheet with Matsuba's face drawn simply on it and the legend: "Under Repair". Then his golden eyes went to Tobe's face.
"So tell me who you are, little partner", Matsuba asked, showing a bit of his teeth.
"A-Ah, Tobe Kakeru", Tobe, who still hadn't gotten used to the atmosphere, found it hard to speak.
And he didn't know why.
Matsuba smiled, satisfied by the discomfort of the boy in front of him.
"And why are you here, Tobe Kakeru-kun?"
"I-I came to make a request."
Matsuba's smile was more than obvious. A long one, filled with the desire to know what it would be.
"Oh, really?"
You couldn't be more obvious, Hasegawa thought.
"Y-Yes", Tobe found it increasingly difficult to speak.
Hikigaya sighed. Although he hated Tobe, he didn't want to watch this.
"Tobe made a request to us. He wants to confess his feelings to a girl, Ebina-san."
"Hikitani-kun!", Tobe shouted. "Don't just tell it like that!"
"In fact, we haven't accepted it yet. We left it for later", Yukinoshita spoke. "We were waiting for you, Matsuba-kun."
"Yes, Matsu-kun", Yuigahama spoke this time. "Tobecchi needs our help. So—"
"But of course", Matsuba intoned. He walked to Tobe, leaving his cup on the table. "Of course we will help you, dear", Matsuba put his arm around Tobe's shoulders. "That girl will wish she had you, friend…", Matsuba murmured.
Tobe, unaware of the tone of the words, said:
"Are you serious?!" Tobe, cheerful, changed the atmosphere.
"Mmmhp!", Matsuba responded.
Tobe turned and stood up, taking Matsuba's hands.
"Thank you, Matsuba-san."
Hikigaya noticed Matsuba's obvious manipulation. Giving Tobe confidence just to lighten the atmosphere.
"What the hell did he say to him?"
"Don't worry about anything, friend", Matsuba intoned on the last word. "Go get some rest. We'll take care of it", Matsuba laughed without letting go of Tobe. "Ha, ha, ah."
It was obvious how it would end for Hasegawa. This would be painful to watch.
However, Aisaka didn't care. It only mattered that Matsuba was happy.
Whatever it took, so he wouldn't leave again.
…
"So, will you tell us why you were late, Matsuba-kun?", Yukinoshita spoke while sipping her tea.
Matsuba smiled.
Hikigaya's jaw tensed as he saw Matsuba smile again and again. Every time Yukinoshita spoke to Matsuba, Hikigaya couldn't help but feel annoyed.
Matsuba brought the tea to his lips.
"I had some things to attend to", he said, his golden eyes moving toward Yukinoshita. His smile made Yukinoshita wonder once again what exactly he had been doing. "Nothing important. I just lost track of time. A thousand apologies, my dear president."
"I understand", Yukinoshita replied, trying not to reveal any hint of embarrassment. "Try to ensure it doesn't happen again in the future."
Matsuba widened his smile.
"Of course."
"I've got it!", Yuigahama made the group turn to look at her.
Yukinoshita turned expectantly. Hikigaya turned to her with his dead-fish eyes, looking even deader. Hasegawa looked at her with boredom. Aisaka tried to see what she was writing while giving small hops in her seat. Matsuba tilted his head, still smiling, waiting for Yuigahama.
Yuigahama blushed as everyone was staring.
"A-Ah", she tried to speak. "D-Don't everyone look at me at the same time."
Yukinoshita turned to look at her teacup in front of her.
"I'm sorry, Yuigahama-san."
"Mmmh", Hikigaya also turned away, staring at the table.
Hasegawa rolled his neck in circles. Aisaka was still trying to see what she had written.
"I almost got it", the red-haired girl said to herself.
Matsuba smiled even more while watching Yuigahama's blush, which made her a bit more nervous.
"Matsu-kun…"
"Yes, beautiful", Matsuba replied, only to see Yuigahama blush even further.
Hikigaya's eyebrows furrowed more, but he hid it by looking directly at the table.
Again. This guy probably doesn't remember their names and that's why he calls them that. Hikigaya's words were present in his mind while he observed the table.
"M-mmh", Yuigahama, seeing that Matsuba wasn't going to back down, began to explain her plan. "We have to create an atmosphere."
Yukinoshita took the floor.
"Create an atmosphere?"
"Yes!", Yuigahama replied. "Make it so Tobecchi and Hina-san are alone."
Hikigaya spoke this time.
"But where do we create this atmosphere?"
Aisaka jumped, stretching her arm as far as she could.
"Why don't you just say it?" Hasegawa thought.
Meanwhile, Matsuba just smiled.
"Yes, Aisaka-san?", Yukinoshita responded.
"We can create that atmosphere during the school trip to Kyoto."
Yukinoshita raised her eyebrows slightly.
"It could work. Making them spend time together in activities. I understand."
Hikigaya spoke up.
"Will it work?" Hikigaya saw something the ladies didn't. "More than half the classes will be going. The last thing we'll have is time alone. We'll be surrounded by various classes every day", Hikigaya clarified. "We'll be lucky if Tobe doesn't rush and confess around many students."
"Hikigaya is right", Hasegawa responded. "If it's a rejection, they won't just make fun of him. Everyone will know, and it will be a social execution."
Yuigahama felt a slight sadness hearing them.
"Seriously…?"
"In the best-case scenarios", Hasegawa replied.
Matsuba lightly picked up the magazine promoting tourism in Kyoto. He flipped the pages slowly and stopped at a page showing the night and a lonely path.
"Mmmh, what a lovely place", Matsuba spoke, giving a slight smile, and finished drinking his tea, pushing the magazine aside.
Yuigahama didn't understand. Why? Why was everyone so cruel? It was just a person wanting to confess their feelings. Why would they make fun of that person? They were a brave person.
A knock at the door made everyone look at the same time.
Yukinoshita spoke.
"Come in."
"Excuse me", the voice of a girl was heard before anyone could see who it was.
"Oh, Hina-chan!", Yuigahama responded.
"Hello Yui", the girl named Ebina greeted. "Yahallo, Yahallo."
"Yahallo", Yuigahama replied.
Hasegawa thought to himself: Every time it sounds worse...
"Yukinoshita-san, Hikitani-kun, Yahallo, Yahallo!", she greeted the others.
But before greeting the rest, she stopped, thinking they were busy with a request.
"Are you busy?", Ebina asked. "If so, I can come back another time."
"A-Ah, they are members of the club, Hina-chan", Yuigahama answered.
Ebina raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"A-Ah, really?" She took a breath. "I'm Ebina Hina."
Aisaka smiled and stood up to receive her, bowing slightly.
"Aisaka Aiko. Pleased to meet you, Ebina-san. Please don't hesitate to use my name."
Ebina smiled, acting as though it didn't bother her.
"Of course, Aiko-san, you shouldn't hesitate to use my name either." Ebina turned to the black-haired boy.
"Hasegawa Hajime", he interrupted her before she could say anything.
"A-Ah, pleased to meet you, Hasegawa-kun. You shouldn't hesitate to use my name either."
Watching the introductions, Hikigaya was somewhat expectant. He hated it, but it was true: he wanted to see Matsuba's reaction to Ebina.
A smile. Simple. There was no emotion or interest.
"Matsuba Haruto", he replied without stopping his smile, bringing the tea to his lips. He paid no attention to the guest.
"Only that..." Hikigaya thought to himself. He expected him to stand up and twirl her around like he did with Yukinoshita, or call her by one of those uncomfortable nicknames. "How the hell does he say them without even blushing? I feel disappointed, Matsuba-san".
Ebina only smiled awkwardly at how Matsuba presented himself. Matsuba, for his part, said absolutely nothing. There was no need for emotion. Or a desire to be entertained.
"Take a seat, Ebina-san", Yukinoshita spoke this time. "Why are you here?"
"Well, you see", the girl spoke as she took a seat at the end of the table. "I have a few things to tell you about Tobecchi", the girl spoke with a mix of shyness and embarrassment, bringing her hands to her face.
Yuigahama jumped with excitement.
"T-T-Tobecchi?" The girl's excitement was obvious. "What is it? What is it?"
"To-Tobecchi...", Ebina replied.
Yuigahama leaned in. "To-Tobecchi..."
"To-Tobecchi... To-Tobecchi...", Ebina leaned back and then jumped forward. "Lately, he has a Great relationship with Hayato-kun and Hikitani-kun!"
Yuigahama's reaction didn't change; it was as if she had been frozen in time.
"That leaves out Ōoka-kun and Yamato-kun and their frustration!", Ebina continued. Yukinoshita only closed her eyes and waited for the girl to finish. Ebina took a breath and continued: "I would like to see a more... forbidden relationship!" Hikigaya sighed, exhausted. "But that will break my carefully constructed love triangles!" Ebina wouldn't stop.
Hasegawa just stared at the girl as if he had discovered a new branch of Homo sapiens. Aisaka had her mouth slightly open; she wouldn't say it, but she was imagining it a little. Matsuba just smiled and continued drinking his tea normally.
After a few seconds of silence, Yuigahama spoke.
"Etto...", Yuigahama tried to formulate something, but it was impossible.
"Lately, Tobecchi talks a lot with Hikitani-kun", Ebina spoke normally now. "He has those secret glances." The girl used her sleeves to wipe her nose. "I just want it so that if you invite one, you invite everyone. And that way, everyone gets along", Ebina wanted to clarify her point. "Or rather, I want you to accept everyone's 'invitation'."
She looked at Hikigaya. Yukinoshita didn't understand what she meant.
"What exactly do you mean?"
"How to put it... I feel like the group from before has changed", Ebina avoided Yukinoshita's eyes to answer.
"But, come on, men also need to have their time... right?" Yuigahama turned to Hikigaya, but he just looked away, as did Hasegawa. Matsuba only smiled, indifferent to Ebina and Yuigahama's conversation. "To resolve their issues with each other", Yuigahama continued with her monologue. "Like male bonding", she concluded.
"Male bonding between men?", Ebina repeated. "Heavens, Yui, how obscene."
"Did I say something wrong?", Yuigahama asked, alarmed, turning to look at Hikigaya.
"No, no. There's nothing wrong with what you said", Hikigaya replied immediately.
Yuigahama turned this time to Hasegawa.
"You could have said it worse", he replied.
Ebina took the floor again, this time with a certain calmness.
"I know things are a little different now...", Ebina responded more calmly, leaving her fantasies aside. "From what they were before..." Ebina played with her fingers under the table. "And that's something I don't like. I wish everything were the way it was before."
"Change always comes." Matsuba took everyone by surprise by responding. His eyes were closed as he spoke, and his smile rose, enjoying the atmosphere. "It's inevitable, darling…"
the corners of his mouth stretched. He was enjoying this.
"I know", Ebina replied. There was no sign of shyness or embarrassment.
Matsuba opened his eyes, and seeing that the girl didn't react to his words, he twisted his smile almost imperceptibly.
Mmmh, Matsuba murmured, stretching the corners of his mouth further. This girl... he thought.
However, Yuigahama intervened.
"But it seems good to me that you get along with them, Hikitani-kun", Ebina turned to look at the loner this time. "To my eyes, it's something pleasant to see." Ebina stood up. "Well, I also hope to see something 'delicious' during the trip."
Ebina looked at Hikigaya; this was only noticed by the loner.
"Hikitani-kun, I'm counting on you", Ebina finished saying as she slid the door open. Everyone watched as the door slid shut, leaving them behind.
A silence fell.
"What was that?", Yukinoshita asked without expecting an answer.
Hasegawa replied anyway.
"Because of the girl? Because of what she said when she spoke? Because she didn't make a request... Or...?" Hasegawa spoke irritably. "Because there are many things to ask."
Aisaka spoke.
"Yes, what a... etto... girl", Aisaka didn't know how to respond this time. "Cute."
"Aisaka-san, that was even painful for me", Hikigaya thought to himself.
Yuigahama felt the need to defend her friend.
"Hina-chan is like that. But she's a great friend. She just really likes talking about those topics...", Yuigahama smiled awkwardly.
"Well, actually, I think she did make a request", Hikigaya spoke.
Hasegawa replied, still confused.
"What was it then?"
"I think she asked for all of us to get along, I guess."
Hasegawa raised his eyebrows in response.
"That's true", Yuigahama agreed with her friend. "But Hikki, how do men get along?"
"Well..."
"I think you're very cruel to ask Hikigaya-kun that", Yukinoshita spoke before Hikigaya could respond. "Yuigahama-san, be more considerate, Nee? (Right?)" Yukinoshita pointed out, giving a condemning smile to Yuigahama.
"That's right, Yuigahama-san", Matsuba spoke. "We must be more considerate of Hiki-gaya-kun." He finished speaking, smiling this time like a demon feeding on pain.
"Yukinoshita-san, stop giving this guy weapons", Hikigaya thought to himself. "This guy is going to make me hate seeing people smile. I'm really starting to hate him".
The loner's face screamed only one thing:
"Drop dead."
…
Hikigaya walked through the streets of Chiba toward his home. His steps were slow, tired. He felt a heaviness upon him. He knew what it was. But he didn't want to admit it.
That would be letting him win…
The fresh air reached his lungs. The sun had not yet fully set. Suddenly, a flash. He quickened his pace. His sister. He wanted to arrive before her, before his sister Komachi. He didn't want his sister to come home to an empty house.
Upon arriving home. A modest place. No second floor, but perfect for living.
Hikigaya Residence
When he opened the door, he was greeted by his sister Komachi.
"Shit", Hikigaya said to himself as he took off his shoes at the entrance. "Komachi…", he greeted with a murmur.
"Onii-chan!", the girl began effusively. "I waited to welcome you like a great little sister. Oh! That should have earned me a lot of points."
Hikigaya, who was exhausted, could only raise his eyebrows in response.
"Hai, hai… (Yes, yes)"
Komachi, seeing how her brother collapsed onto the sofa, approached him. This was common, but her brother usually responded with at least some energy.
"What's wrong, Onii-chan?"
Hikigaya heard his sister's worried voice. Less curious or mocking than usual. Although he knew she could be very perceptive when she wanted to be, he didn't want to share what he now had to endure in the club.
"Nothing", was all he could respond. He didn't want to talk anymore today.
Komachi's eyebrows shifted diagonally. Annoyed. She knew her brother almost completely; she knew something was happening in the club.
"It's about Yukino-san and Yui-san...", rather than a question, that was a declaration from his sister.
He wanted to respond; he really wanted to.
…Ah.
Of course, them…
It wasn't exactly incorrect. But it wasn't right either. It wasn't just that. But even if it weren't specifically about them, that annoyed him. Not everything was about them. Hikigaya wanted to tell her that now it wasn't just them, but that someone was disturbing the peace that used to exist in his club, and what kept that frown on his face all day was the fact of not being able to do anything about it.
Hikigaya looked at her for a few seconds. Did he want to tell her? No. Sincerely, no. He didn't want to talk about a guy who had wormed his way into his club. Just when he thought he finally had a place, someone comes along just to annoy him.
He didn't want to talk about him…
"Why do you think it's about them?", he responded with a certain restlessness, annoyance, unable to understand his sister's question.
Komachi immediately understood her brother's tone. He's not like this…
"Onii-chan, you're always doing something", Komachi responded with her usual animosity. She didn't want her brother to think she was being meddlesome. Not entirely. She just wanted to see him smile—with them.
"Well, it's not about them… if that's what's worrying you, Komachi…"
Komachi nodded. She would leave it for tonight.
"All right, Onii-chan." So she turned around, but before leaving, she turned back to her brother again. "Remember that Komachi will always support you. Oh, that earns Komachi a lot of points!"
Komachi walked to the door and stood still for a few seconds without moving a muscle. She leaned her head against the door behind her. She inhaled and exhaled.
"Onii-chan…"
…
Omake
…
"Ha, ha, Ebina-san seems to be a very energetic girl, doesn't she?" Aisaka said cheerfully.
"To me, she's unpleasant. I hope I don't run into her again", Hasegawa responded with his arms crossed, staring at nothing.
"Mmmh…", Haruto barely murmured, without stopping his smile. Ignoring the subject. "Anyway, the next chapter is: 'The Demon brings more Demons'. Which translates to: I bring more demons! Ha, ha, ha. I hope it's to your entertainment."
Aisaka brought her finger to her chin.
"Mmmh, you mean Yuu—"
"Ah-ah-ah!", Matsuba covered Aisaka's mouth. "No spoilers, darling!"
…
Chapter Two Notes: Cookies Again
This chapter is essentially a connector to what will be the first part of the main plot.
Points to clarify:
Tobe's request will not be changed. Everything will follow the canon.
The antagonists for the first part will appear in the next chapter. They will only serve to showcase Haruto's strength.